- Paleobiology is the study of ancient life. It includes several branches, such as paleozoology (the study of ancient animals except humans) and paleobotany (the study of ancient plants). Paleozoology is further divided into vertebrate paleontology (animals with backbones) and invertebrate paleontology (animals without backbones). Paleontologists try to predict global changes using information ...www.nmnh.si.edu/paleo